Rangers V.S. Blackhawks Preview

The trip to Prague was a success for the New York Rangers. Now they take the ice in their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago seems to be a much improved team with the acquisition of Brian Campbell, but the Rangers have proved they can do fine against supposedly improved teams.

The Rangers were able to play solid defensively and hold the Tampa Bay Lightning's forwards in check. In order to improve to 3-0 the Rangers will have to do more of the same. Players like Wade Redden, Dmitri Kalin and Marc Stall will have to keep Chicago's young forwards in check.

Young forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp will need to play solid, responsible hockey to compete with a very solid New York Rangers team.

A big factor in this game may be special teams. The Rangers' power-play must put up better numbers than it has in the past. The Rangers will also need to stay out of the penalty box, as the Blackhawks have a very solid unit with Campbell and Kane operating the Blackhawks power-play.

A key factor the Rangers seem to have in their favor is goaltending, as Henrik Lundqvist has been very steady in net, at the start of the season. The Blackhawks have solid presence in net, with Cristobal Huet and veteran Nikolai Khabibulan.

The puck is set to drop at 7:00, this should be an intense closely contested affair that may come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.